The Arizona sentinel., 1887-09-24
SIAMESE AMAZoNs.
A Kings Military Body Guard Composed
 Entirely of Women.

A Kings Military Body-Guard Composed
 Entirely of Women.
 Among the other visitors to the ex. hibition has been the Prince of Siam, brother to the King. He is a little man, but has an olive complexion and black eyes, speaks English per fectly. and has charming manners. AS an example of one of the good re- suits of the American exhibition, dur ing his visit he made a most careful in- spection of the goods in the main building and spent thousands of dol lars on all the useful things he saw which were up to the present time un- known in Siam. He gave an order for one hundred typewriters 10 one manu- facturer, a large orler for safes to an- other, ordered four dozen carpet sweepers. a steam engine and num- Der of other ingenious things which at- tracted his attention. so that these ex- hibiters have the satisfaction of know ing that they have opened market for themselves in Siam at no greater eX- pense than going to the American ex- hibition. The fashion having been set by the Prince, large orders for all these ! goods he assured them would follow; it would therefore appear that the people in his country. which very few of us stop to realize is twice as large in its area as France. and has pOpu- lation of about 15. 000 900 people. are all making rapid strides toward mod ern civilization.
 i He gave us some curious informa- ton. however, about the Kings anna zons, the Royal Guard being composed i entirely of women. This battalion con- i sists of four hundred women, chosen among the handsomest and most TO- bust girls in the country. They re- ceive excellent pay, and their discipline i is perfect. They are admitted to serve at the age of thirteen. and are placed in the army of reserve at the age of twenty-five. From that period they no i longer serve about the Kings person, but are employed to guard the royal 1 palaces and the crown lands.
 On entering the army the amazons make a VOW of chastity, for which there is no exemption unless any of them should attract the Kings atten- ton and be admitted among his legiti mate wives. The Kings choice sell dom falls on the most beautiful, but on the most skilled in military exer- else. The costume these women wear is very rich, Their full dress is con- posed of a white woolen robe, em- breidered with gold. The cloth is ex- tremely fIIe, and descends as far as the knee; it is covered with light coat of mail and gilt cuirass. The arms are free, and the head is covered with a gilt casque. When wearing ' this dress on state occasions their only weapon is lance, which they handle with wonderful dexterity. With their undress they are armed with mus 1 ket The battalion is composed of four companies. and each company of one hundred women, commanded by a i Captain of ther own sex Should the Captain die, the the company is drilled during three days by the King, who appoints the most competent to sue ceed to the command.
 The King of Siam never undertakes any expedition without being accom- panied by his female guard nor does he ever hunt or even ride, without an escort of the same guard. who are devOtedly attached to his person. Every individ- ual of the battalion has five negresses attached to her service, and, having thus no domestic occupation. she can devote herself exclusively to the duties of her profession. There is parade ground near the city, where one com pany are stationed for two days every week to exercise themselves in the use of the lance, the pistol, and the rif1h. The King attends once month at those exercises accompanied by his brother. who shares in some degree the sovereign power, and distributes prizes to those most deserving. When the death of one If the parties ensues. the deceased receives magnificent funeral, and the high priest pro- nounces a panegyric declaring that the deceased by her valor has merited eternal rest in the abode If the blessed. The survivor receives the congratula- tions of her companions; but as a measure of discipline, she is sentenced to pass two months away from her company in fasting and prayer The military organization of this battalion is so perfect that the entire army en- deavors to initiate it-London Coz. Chicago Tribune.